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Rockingham County

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the company’s planned $4.5 billion plants in October 2025. Photo by Kaitlyn DeHarde, Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Mar 2, 2026

Preparation, pandemic helped Virginia land Big Pharma deals

Virginia attracted $12 billion in pharmaceutical manufacturing investments in 2025, leveraging site readiness, workforce training, and strong infrastructure.

Sherri and John Hill, of Elliot City, Maryland, documented their visit to the Mount Crawford Buc-ee’s for its June 30, 2025, grand opening. Photo by Norm Shafer
Mar 1, 2026

Preparation pays off in Shenandoah Valley

The Shenandoah Valley's economy grew in 2025 with a $3 billion Merck expansion, new food production facilities, and strong manufacturing investments.

Then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined Merck & Co. at the October 2025 groundbreaking for Merck’s $3 billion facility in Elkton. Photo by Kaitlyn DeHarde, Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Mar 1, 2026

$3B Merck expansion makes big impact in Shenandoah Valley

Merck is investing $3 billion to build a small-molecule manufacturing facility in Elkton, Virginia, creating 500 permanent jobs and boosting local economy.

A worker at Merck's Elkton facility. Copyright Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Oct 20, 2025

Merck to build $3B facility in Elkton

Merck & Co. is starting construction on a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elkton that is expected to create 500 jobs.

Bridgewater College raises $36.7M in five-year campaign
Jul 24, 2025

Bridgewater College raises $36.7M in five-year campaign

Bridgewater College announced Monday that it successfully concluded a five-year fundraising campaign, raising $36.7 million.

Mount Crawford, VA. - Excited shoppers pour through the door of the first Buc-ee's to open in Virginia Monday, June 30, 2025, at 6 a.m. (Photo by Norm Shafer)
Jun 30, 2025

Crowds, smiles greet Buc-ee’s first Virginia store opening

Buc-ee’s fans lined up before dawn for the grand opening of the Texas travel center chain’s first Virginia store in Mount Crawford.

Daytona Beach, Florida - December 29, 2022: Large convenience store and gas station Buc-ees featuring a beaver mascot. Photo by AdobeStock
Jun 23, 2025

Virginia’s first Buc-ee’s opens soon — here’s what to know

Virginia's first Buc-ee’s opens June 30 in Mount Crawford, bringing 200+ jobs, brisket, beaver nuggets and a huge fan following to Rockingham County.

A display of Buc-ee’s beaver dolls fills the bed of a pickup truck in a Buc-ee’s store in Johnstown, Colorado. AP Photo by David Zalubowski
Jun 1, 2025

Buc-ee’s hiring for first Virginia location opening in June

Buc-ee’s to open its first Virginia location in Rockingham County June 30, creating 200 jobs with wages from $18–$24/hour.

Photo courtesy Buc-ee’s
Apr 29, 2025

Buc-ee’s hiring for new Virginia location opening in June

Buc-ee's — the Texas-based chain of travel centers — will hold a multiday hiring event in May for its upcoming 74,000-square-foot Rockingham County location.

Buc-ee’s co-founder and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III (center left) and Gov. Glenn Youngkin (center right) speak at the groundbreaking for Buc-ee's Rockingham County location on Jan. 30, 2024. Official Photo by Christian Martinez, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin
Jan 2, 2025

Buc-ee’s estimates first Va. location to open in June

Leave it to beaver — the behatted mascot of mega-travel center chain Buc-ee’s, that is. Texas-based Buc-ee’s projects it will open its first travel center in Virginia — its 74,000-square-foot Rockingham County location — on June 30, although the opening date is not set in stone, Buc-ee’s Media Coordinator Crissy Gonzales noted in an email […]

Buc-ee’s co-founder and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III (center left) and Gov. Glenn Youngkin (center right) speak at the groundbreaking for Buc-ee's Rockingham County location on Jan. 30, 2024. Official Photo by Christian Martinez, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Jan 30, 2024

Buc-ee’s starts construction on Rockingham center

It won’t be too long before drivers on Interstate 81 in Rockingham County will see a sign bearing a friendly, hat-wearing beaver. Texas-based travel center chain Buc-ee’s started construction on its first travel center in Virginia with a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday. Gov. Glenn Youngkin was there, as well as Buc-ee’s founder and CEO Arch “Beaver” […]

Buc-ee's purchased 21.3 acres in Rockingham County for a planned travel center.
Sep 26, 2023

Buc-ee’s buys land for second Va. location

A second Buc-ee’s Super Center is coming to Virginia along a busy stretch of highway in Shenandoah Valley near Mount Crawford. Buc-ee’s Mt. Crawford LLC purchased 21.3 acres located at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Friedens Church Road in Rockingham County from Lispen LLC for $6.6 million, Norfolk-based S.L Nusbaum Realty announced Tuesday.  Plans […]

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